Examining the impact of steric and electronic variation in N2S scorpionate ligands on the properties of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes

► Sterically bulky N2S heteroscorpionate ligands were complexed with Zn(II) and Cd(II). ► The solid state structures of the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes were determined to be mononuclear and dinuclear, respectively. ► DOSY NMR revealed the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are mononuclear in solution. ► DFT calculations examined the impact of the N2S ligands on the electronic nature of the Zn(II) complexes.